System and method for solar distillation

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved solar powered distillation system and method. The solar powered still may have a waterproof membrane that is extruded, molded, or sprayed-on. The membrane may be installed in a lightweight basin as a liner resulting in improved ease of still manufacturing and assembly as well as improved sealing. Further, the membrane may include silicone. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane material may be an opaque food grade non-toxic odorless, tasteless silicon, for example, Dow Corning 40. In one variation, the solar still basin may be formed from an aluminum sided insulation material. In another variation the solar still may include a carbon filter attached to either the input or output of the solar still for filtering out VOCs. The solar still may further include adjustable legs that facilitate leveling the still to ensure the most efficient operation possible. The still may be provided to users in a kit and assembled on site to improve shipping. As constructed and used, the solar still of the present invention may be used as a portable cost effective means of providing distilled water in any location throughout the world.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system, comprising: 
       a solar powered distillation system including;  
       a basin; and  
       an extruded impermeable nonporous black silicone membrane for containment, said membrane lining the basin, wherein the membrane is an extruded sheet cut, folded and adhesively attached to an inside surface of the basin so as to provide containment of a material to be distilled during distillation.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the basin includes an insulation layer. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the basin includes an insulation layer coupled to, bonded or adhesively attached to an outer protective casing. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the membrane lines the basin so as to form with the basin a containment floor and containment sides of the basin. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
       adjustable leas attached to said solar powered distillation system for supporting and horizontally leveling the basin so that when material to be distilled is placed in the distillation system it is equally distributed across the containment floor of the basin.  
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
       a carbon filter for removing volatile organic compounds and couple to an inlet port or an outlet port of said solar powered distillation system.  
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the silicone is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food grade approved. 
     
     
       8. A system, comprising: 
       a solar powered distillation system including;  
       a basin; and  
       a molded impermeable nonporous black silicone membrane for containment, said membrane lining the basin, wherein the membrane is molded to line and form fit inside surfaces of the basin.  
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the basin includes an insulation layer. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
       adjustable legs attached to said solar powered distillation system for supporting and horizontally leveling the distillation system so that when material to be distilled is placed in the distillation system it is equally distributed across a containment floor of the distillation system.  
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the silicone is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food grade approved. 
     
     
       12. A system, comprising: 
       a solar powered distillation system including;  
       a basin; and  
       a sprayed-on impermeable nonporous black silicone membrane for containment, said membrane lining the basin, wherein the membrane is sprayed-on silicone that adheres to and lines inside surfaces of the basin.  
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the basin includes an insulation layer. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
       adjustable legs attached to said solar powered distillation system for supporting and horizontally leveling the distillation system so that when material to be distilled is placed in the distillation system it is equally distributed across a containment floor of the distillation system.  
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the silicone is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food grade approved. 
     
     
       16. A solar powered distillation system, comprising: 
       a basin formed of an aluminum sided insulation sheet including an outside aluminum layer and an inside insulation layer bonded together, the aluminum layer being sufficiently thick to provide structural rigidity and durability as an outside surface of the basin;  
       a membrane for containment that lines the basin and covers the insulation layer inside the basin; and  
       adjustable legs attached to said basin, said adjustable legs for supporting and leveling the distillation system to optimize the solar powered distillation system efficiency, wherein the membrane is an extruded, sprayed-on, or molded impermeable membrane lining said basin.  
     
     
       17. The solar powered distillation system of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
       a carbon filter attached to an inlet or outlet of said solar powered distillation system for removing various impurities.  
     
     
       18. The solar powered distillation system of  claim 17 , wherein the membrane is comprised of extruded, molded or sprayed-on impermeable silicone. 
     
     
       19. The solar powered distillation system of  claim 16 , wherein the insulation layer is made of polyisocyanurate. 
     
     
       20. The solar powered distillation system of  claim 19 , wherein the aluminum layer is bonded to the polyisocyanurate insulation layer to form an integral sheet with structural rigidity and strength. 
     
     
       21. A solar powered distillation system, comprising: 
       a basin for containment of a substance to be distilled, the basin including:  
       an outer protective shell made of a structurally rigid and durable material; and  
       at least one layer of insulating material formed over and attached to an inner surface of the outer protective shell; and  
       an extruded, molded or sprayed-on impermeable nonporous silicone membrane placed over and attached to the at least one layer of insulating material so as to form a lining inside the basin; and  
       a transparent member for solar ray admission, the transparent member placed over and coupled to the basin so as to form with the basin a solar evaporation chamber of the solar powered distillation system.  
     
     
       22. The solar powered distillation system of  claim 21 , wherein the membrane is an extruded silicone sheet that is cut, folded and adhesively attached to the at least one layer of insulating material. 
     
     
       23. The solar powered distillation system of  claim 22 , wherein the membrane is adhesively attached to the at least one layer of insulating material and sealed at corners of the basin with silicone. 
     
     
       24. The solar powered distillation system of  claim 21 , wherein the membrane is molded silicone that has been molded to fit a shape of the insulating material. 
     
     
       25. The solar powered distillation system of  claim 21 , wherein the membrane is formed by spraying silicone over the at least one layer of insulating material.